Relating to court records of actions that have been found to be frivolous and actions for slander or libel

This bill relates to sealing court records of an action that has been found to be frivolous or an action for slander or libel. The bill provides that a court shall seal the court records of an action that has been found to be frivolous or an action for slander or libel not later than three days from the date of the hearing if any of the following have occurred: the defendant is found not liable, the court finds there is no genuine issue of material fact between the parties or dismisses the plaintiff’s claim, the plaintiff withdraws the claim, the plaintiff does not appear for the hearing, or if by consent of both parties. The bill provides that upon application of a defendant found liable in an action for slander or libel, the court shall seal the court records if more than three years have passed since disposition, the applicant has not been found liable in subsequent slander or libel action in the three-year period preceding the application, and the applicant within the last years has not been granted a sealing of an action for slander or libel. The application to seal shall be included in the sealed court records. The bill provides that upon sealing of court records, all filings, documentation, and writs of association shall be removed from any publicly accessible location. Court records sealed shall not be available for public inspection. However, the clerk of court in the county in which an action is originated shall maintain a record in the aggregate of all filings and make such information available to the public in such a manner prescribed by the supreme court as to protect the identity of the parties while still providing the public with information relating to an action that has been found to be frivolous or for slander or libel in the county. The bill provides that upon sealing the clerk of court shall not disclose the existence of, or information regarding, an action for slander or libel or other civil action sealed or made confidential under the bill.